RUSSIANS are increasingly likely to say they favour warmer relations with the UK and Western world despite heightened tensions and the threat of war, a new poll shows.

More than two-thirds of the Russian public want rapprochement with the UK, US and their allies

More than two-thirds of the Russian public want rapprochement with the UK, US and their allies, the survey found.

Research by the Levada centre conducted in mid-November revealed 71 per cent of the Russian public support closer ties with its former foes, an increase of 21 per cent compared with a similar poll conducted in July last year.

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That brings the level of support for better relations with the West near the all-time high of 76 per cent registered in March 2000.

The surprising results contradict rhetoric from Government ministers in London, Washington and Moscow, who have collectively warned of a fresh Cold War in the wake of the annexation of Crimea and fighting in Syria.

Russian attitudes to the US in particular are also improving - despite continued economic sanctions imposed by President Obama - with 56 per cent now saying they view America negatively, down from 64 per cent in September and 65 per cent in January.

Vladimir Putin in pictures

Thu, November 24, 2016

Russin President Vladimir Putin in pictures

But Washington remains the biggest 'bogeyman' in Russia, with more expressing negative attitudes to the US than the EU, which is also imposing sanctions, and neighbouring Ukraine, with which Russia is engaged in a proxy war.

The results suggest Vladimir Putin is leading his country down a path of conflict which is not supported by the electorate.

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This Russian man is posing in front of an ice-breaker ship

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And this lady is gazing at the Kremlin as night falls

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These four Siberian women may want closer ties with the West, the survey suggested

Antipathy towards Russia' antagonistic foreign policy may also damage any ambitions Mr Putin has to run for the presidency again in 2018.